Badlands Premium Van Tour - Public
Overview
There’s nothing “bad” about touring the Badlands with a guide who’ll drive you to the national park, teach you the history of the area, and make sure you don’t miss any of the best spots for photos. The tour is a highly curated route that takes you to places you’d otherwise miss. From scenic overlooks to the famous Wall Drug Store, and even to the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, where you’ll get to experience ‘duck and cover drills, ’ it’s good fun in the Badlands.
We tour in Comfort and Style. Picnic lunch included. Lots of photo and restroom breaks.
*Turtle-Top Van - New 14 passenger executive.
*Honda Odyssey Minivan-Leather reclining seats, excellent ride and cold AC.
*Ford Transit full size mid height touring van - 14 passenger has been converted to seat just 8 . . . and it has huge side windows for viewing.
*Please note: Monday and Tuesday Minuteman Missile is closed.
We tour in Comfort and Style. Picnic lunch included. Lots of photo and restroom breaks.
*Turtle-Top Van - New 14 passenger executive.
*Honda Odyssey Minivan-Leather reclining seats, excellent ride and cold AC.
*Ford Transit full size mid height touring van - 14 passenger has been converted to seat just 8 . . . and it has huge side windows for viewing.
*Please note: Monday and Tuesday Minuteman Missile is closed.
Inclusions
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Local guide
- National Park fees
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Lunch - Ham or turkey subs (or salad), chips and cookies. Guests may bring their own food or beverage. (Twist caps and no glass please.)
- Entry/Admission - Pinnacles Overlook
- Entry/Admission - Ben Reifel Visitor Center
- Entry/Admission - Badlands National Park
- Entry/Admission - Delta-09 Missile Silo
- Entry/Admission - Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Delta-09 Missile Silo, Interstate 90 Exit 116, Wall, SD 57790
An opportunity to view down into the only Minuteman Missile Silo left. Park Rangers explain the history of that era.
*No Tours on Mondays & Tuesdays (Delta Closed)
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, 24545 Cottonwood Rd, Philip, SD 57567-7002
Short stop at location of 1950'-60's Nuclear Missile Site. Small museum provides exhibits of the 'Duck and Cover' days.
*No Tours on Mondays & Tuesdays (Minuteman Closed)
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ben Reifel Visitor Center, Cedar Pass Badlands Loop Road Hwy 240, Badlands National Park, SD
Book store and museum. Features history of the Badlands and fossils found there.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Badlands National Park, 25216 Ben Reifel Pl, Interior, SD 57750-7020
We travel along the 'Loop' road along the ridges and down into the valley of Badlands Park. Six Overlooks make for great viewing and photos.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Pinnacles Overlook, Vista Point, Badlands National Park, SD
Northwest entry to the Badlands National Park. Pinnacles Overlook provides spectacular viewing and photo ops.
This is one of Six Overlooks we will be stopping at.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Wall Drug, 510 Main Street, Wall, SD 57790-9501
Wall Drug is still famous for its free ice water, but is also a favorite stop for millions of tourists each year because it is a cultural and historical site while remaining a fun, relaxing break.
Duration: 45 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Delta-09 Missile Silo, Interstate 90 Exit 116, Wall, SD 57790
An opportunity to view down into the only Minuteman Missile Silo left. Park Rangers explain the history of that era.
*No Tours on Mondays & Tuesdays (Delta Closed)
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, 24545 Cottonwood Rd, Philip, SD 57567-7002
Short stop at location of 1950'-60's Nuclear Missile Site. Small museum provides exhibits of the 'Duck and Cover' days.
*No Tours on Mondays & Tuesdays (Minuteman Closed)
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ben Reifel Visitor Center, Cedar Pass Badlands Loop Road Hwy 240, Badlands National Park, SD
Book store and museum. Features history of the Badlands and fossils found there.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Badlands National Park, 25216 Ben Reifel Pl, Interior, SD 57750-7020
We travel along the 'Loop' road along the ridges and down into the valley of Badlands Park. Six Overlooks make for great viewing and photos.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Pinnacles Overlook, Vista Point, Badlands National Park, SD
Northwest entry to the Badlands National Park. Pinnacles Overlook provides spectacular viewing and photo ops.
This is one of Six Overlooks we will be stopping at.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Wall Drug, 510 Main Street, Wall, SD 57790-9501
Wall Drug is still famous for its free ice water, but is also a favorite stop for millions of tourists each year because it is a cultural and historical site while remaining a fun, relaxing break.
Duration: 45 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Most travelers can participate
- Masks are worn by drivers as required and/or requested. Social Distancing is requested as much as possible. No Hugs - No Handshakes - No Offense :o)
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
johnrZ3004SV
July 2023
Our guide, Joe was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. Over the years, we have traveled and used numerous guides. Joe was the best we have encountered, going well above and beyond to make this adventure special. As just two examples of his caring attitude and thoughtfulness, my bags wen...
Our guide, Joe was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. Over the years, we have traveled and used numerous guides. Joe was the best we have encountered, going well above and beyond to make this adventure special. As just two examples of his caring attitude and thoughtfulness, my bags went to Durango instead of Rapid City (long story) and I was concerned that I would have trouble with the cold morning air. When Joe learned of my plight, he brought along a sweatshirt from the company for me. I was willing to pay for it, but still haven't received the link to do so. When we arrived at the minuteman museum, he introduced me to one of the site's rangers who was a retired missileer. I am a retired US Army Field Artillery Colonel and one of the things veterans like to do when they can is to trade coins with other veterans. I happened to have one of my Regimental coins with me and was happy to be able to exchange coins with him. We had a great conversation, realizing that we both served in the same Infantry Division, at the same time! Joe is a special person and an exceptional guide. He knows all the points of interest, intimately. He knows all the places to go that others drive by. He is remarkable in his overall knowledge, infectious personality and deep, caring attitude for his group. This trip to the Badlands was beyond all expectations, thanks in large measure to Joe! Thank you for a great trip.Linda_R
June 2023
Great trip with a top knotch tour company, Black Hills Open Top Tours. Our guide for the Badlands tour was very informative and made sure we saw all the highlights.
Great trip with a top knotch tour company, Black Hills Open Top Tours. Our guide for the Badlands tour was very informative and made sure we saw all the highlights.ingeborgf177
June 2023
My husband and I did the Badlands Premium tour with Julie who was our awesome guide. Julie is very knowledgeable, was great in giving us a lot of information and history of the Badlands and wildlife but also about South Dakota and its people. Julie made sure we saw what we wanted to see and als...
My husband and I did the Badlands Premium tour with Julie who was our awesome guide. Julie is very knowledgeable, was great in giving us a lot of information and history of the Badlands and wildlife but also about South Dakota and its people. Julie made sure we saw what we wanted to see and also guided us to beautiful overlooks. We also got a lot of good suggestions for our coming days here in Rapid City. It was a beautiful (hot) day.mimiharvey247
May 2023
Let me start by saying that communication was flowing BEFORE the tour with Rich, the owner, about meet-up, etc…as we were not staying in Rapid City. When I sent a follow up email AFTER the tour, I have gotten no response and it’s been a couple of days now. Our guide, Joe, has a great review on th...
Let me start by saying that communication was flowing BEFORE the tour with Rich, the owner, about meet-up, etc…as we were not staying in Rapid City. When I sent a follow up email AFTER the tour, I have gotten no response and it’s been a couple of days now. Our guide, Joe, has a great review on the page and honestly, when I saw that he was our guide, I was very pleased. Joe is a very pleasant man and informative. A little soft spoken, at times it was hard to hear him from the back seat but aside from that he had suffered a fall, the night before and tweaked his abdominal area. We completely understood his discomfort, don’t get me wrong, we even suggested he not open and close the door as we were perfectly capable in doing so, ourselves. He did snap a couple of pics for us at Wall Drug and one (on his own phone) at Badlands. Most of the time, he stayed in the van. The van was not an executive van, certainly not like the photo representation. On a warmer day, it would have been very uncomfortable. The a/c was not cooling the rear end of the vehicle and my husband and I were the only passengers. On the ride back to Rapid City, my husband dozed off. Fortunately, I did not. When I noticed the vehicle weaving, I woke my husband and we asked the driver if he was ok or needs to pull over. He insisted that he was fine. Clearly, he wasn’t in his best form that day and I understand that he works for a living, as do we, and this was an expensive tour… Not worth the money for what we got, to be honest. Thankfully, it wasn’t a catastrophic event.Sandy_W
October 2022
Excellent tour guide driver, loved the history of the area he shared, and the hike we took! Thank you.
Excellent tour guide driver, loved the history of the area he shared, and the hike we took! Thank you.Aroundtheworldjohn
September 2022
I am handicapped and use an electric mobility scooter. I was afraid that we wouldn’t be able to do the tours but we contacted Rich the Owner and he was extremely helpful and accommodating. They had a van with a lift that loaded the scooter. We had Kevin as our Guide on all 3 days. Kevin was fanta...
I am handicapped and use an electric mobility scooter. I was afraid that we wouldn’t be able to do the tours but we contacted Rich the Owner and he was extremely helpful and accommodating. They had a van with a lift that loaded the scooter. We had Kevin as our Guide on all 3 days. Kevin was fantastic. He arrived on time to pick us up. Loaded and unloaded the scooter at every stop. Kevin’s knowledge was amazing. He filled us in on every nuance of the areas we toured. We toured Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, Crazy Horse, the Badlands and Wall. Great trip.